So, the other day, I read this article that’s been circulating online about the iPhone and all of the products it has killed – maps, watches, cameras, newspapers, etc. You have probably seen this. The very same day, I was at the Noble & Cooley factory. I was talking to Jay about Western movies (declared extinct every 10 years or so) because I have been on a Western kick after randomly catching all of Shane late on a Sunday night. He casually drops, “You know, Noble & Cooley was in business before the Golden Spike was driven in on the Continental Railroad.”
Think about this.
Phineas Gage was alive when Noble & Cooley started.
Lincoln wasn’t even president yet.
Antibiotics were not invented.
The US had 36 states.
There was no electricity.
We were closer to actual dragons than Imagine Dragons.
Back to the future. The “cell phone” with actual cellular technology, lasted what, 20 years? The iPhone killed maps, which have been in existence for thousands of years. Point and shoot digital cameras, which had a run of maybe 15 years? The railroad is largely obsolete (in the US anyway). Remember digital watches? No? OK, well screw you. Actually, they are back now aren’t they, but from you know who…Apple!
We now have computer recording, which killed tape, digital video, which killed film, electric pianos, which have largely replaced real pianos, electric guitars which, admittedly have not killed acoustic guitars but have certainly relegated them to a specific area. Every tone you could ever want you can download to Dropbox.
And then we have electronic drums. If there is any group of musicians who should want their instrument to be replaced with an electronic version, it’s drummers. I mean come on. Too much equipment to carry, too expensive, too time consuming to tune. Wait, tune? How the hell do I get these in tune anyway? They are loud. Your parents hate them. As do you girlfriend, boyfriend, neighbors, daughter, son, cousins, local police, club sound guy, techs, even people you haven’t met yet and don’t realize they do.
Electronic drums do nearly everything better. They are more convenient, less expensive, in tune, easy to record, easier to play, controllable, portable, programmable, triggerable, and volume adjustable. Just every form of …able. There is no question electronic percussion in all its forms have expanded the capabilities everywhere for drummers willing to embrace it.
Except.
They just don’t sound as good, aren’t as fun to play, don’t look cool, don’t feel as good, don’t inspire the same way. So, it appears that acoustic drums are going to stick around for a while, perhaps even longer than parachute pants. And as long as they are around, we will be and we will continue to make drums that look great, sound great, and inspire you to play.
Take that iPhone. Oh and another HUGE point I would like to make…….wait, gotta go, I just got a text.